Cultural Cues in Students' Computer‐Mediated Communication: Influences on E‐mail Style,Perception of the Sender,and Willingness to Help |
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Authors: | Miriam Hansen Sabine Fabriz Sebastian Stehle |
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Affiliation: | Department of Psychology, Goethe University Frankfurt, Frankfurt, Germany |
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Abstract: | Computer‐mediated communication among university students with different cultural backgrounds has become widespread. In this study, we examine how undergraduates (N = 130) react to cultural cues when responding to an e‐mail request for cooperation sent by a peer. Participants rated the sender's personality and stated their willingness to help. In the inquiry, 2 types of cultural cues were varied, resulting in a 2 × 2 factorial design: ethnicity (German vs. Chinese name) and communication style (Western vs. Asian). Results showed that participants aligned their responses to the communication style; however, the ethnicity cue influenced the wording of their response, their perception of the sender's personality and their willingness to help. Results are discussed regarding communication accommodation and social judgment theories. |
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Keywords: | Intercultural Communication Computer‐Mediated Communication Lexical Alignment Higher Education Helping Behavior Social Judgment |
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